Ashen stood in front of Lumina, hands folded on his chest as his eyes darted to Stella, who lingered too close, her hands clasped as though she might shield her lady from him.
"What is your problem? Why leave without notifying me?" He finally asked after the long silence.
Lumina shifted where she sat, her body straightening though her face remained calm.
She tilted her head ever so slightly toward his voice. "Don't yell at me," she murmured beneath her breath, her tone more a warning than a plea.
Ashen's lips parted, a retort on the edge of release, but instead his gaze flicked to Stella. "Leave," he ordered flatly.
Stella stiffened, her mouth opening as if to protest, but the anger in his eyes cut off her words before they could form.
Without another sound, she bowed her head and slipped from the chamber, the soft click of the door closing leaving Lumina and Ashen alone.
